The Nehemiah Project Training Program
Train for Counseling & Get Certified!
The Nehemiah Project’s Training Program allows you to gain training and experience in biblical counseling while also becoming certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Our training provides you with instruction, practice, experience, and support.
Certified Training Center
The Nehemiah Project is an Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) Certified Training Center! This means that you can receive training from The Nehemiah Project that will fulfill the requirements to become an ACBC Certified Biblical Counselor. This includes the required 30-hour Fundamentals Training and 10 hours of Counseling Observation to complete Phase One. Click the button below to learn more about Certification through ACBC and initiate the process!
Training Program Tracks
1) Discipleship Track: Phase 1 only – $225 + Books – For anyone interested in biblical counseling. This track does not lead to certification with ACBC. Helpful in enhancing your ability to disciple well to bless those around you. Costs are spread over the course of the 5 month program.*
2) Certified Counselor Track: Phases 1-3 -$1,150-1,850 – For those interested in completing ACBC certification. Costs are spread over the course of the program which averages 2 years.*
*See FAQ below for a further breakdown of costs.
Phase 1: Learning
The first 5 months of The Nehemiah Project’s training provides the Fundamentals Training Course and counseling observations required for Phase 1 of ACBC Certification. Fundamentals Training will be provided in person at The Nehemiah Project on Sunday evenings from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Interns may complete their required Observation with one of our Certified Counselors.
Phase 2: Exams & Evaluations
Monthly Exam Mentorship Meetings will help you to feel theologically prepared to complete the essays required for ACBC certification. You’ll also have accountability and support as you steadily complete your exams on the schedule we’ve created for our trainees. During this stage, you’ll also begin practicing your biblical counseling through peer-to-peer sessions with other trainees.
Phase 3: Training
Once you’ve completed Phases 1 and 2 of ACBC Certification, you will have the opportunity to complete your supervised counseling hours with counselees at our facility. Although we do not currently have an ACBC Fellow on site, we will help you to secure one to provide the required supervision meetings, and hold monthly Group Supervision meetings with Chad Wiles.
Apply to Be A Nehemiah Project Trainee
The Nehemiah Project’s Training program will enroll new trainees each fall. Anyone is welcome to apply to train for biblical counseling with us, even if you are not a member of our hub church, The Field Church. However, all of our trainees should be willing to submit to the theological leadership of our ministry. Application for the training program does not guarantee acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The approximate cost for all 3 phases of our training (if completed on schedule) is $615, broken down into monthly payments.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the training program will cost $45/month. Phase 1 is 5 months long ($225) and Phase 2 is 6 months ($260). This cost covers instruction and training, but does not include the cost of required reading materials.
Phase 3 consists of a biblical counseling internship. The counselor receives valuable counseling hours which prepare them for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Those desiring to intern with The Nehemiah Project must complete the application process before beginning.
Other costs include:
- Approx. $200 for books
- ACBC membership Fee: $115
- $20 for Observation videos (if desired)
- $100 ACBC Exam Grading Fee (Phase 2)
- $100-$800 (Max) Supervision Fee
Total Cost for Full Certification: $1,150-1,850
2025 registration is now closed. Stay tuned for 2026 dates to be announced!
If you are not a covenant member of The Field Church, it is a requirement to be a member of another church. ACBC requires all of their Certified Counselors to be under the authority of biblical pastoral oversight/eldership. Therefore, your home church must agree to support you in the pursuit of certification and you must be theologically aligned with both TNP & ACBC to become a trainee.
You must pay your monthly training fees in order to remain a trainee in good standing.
A syllabus with a full outline of the training will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Phase One:
- A Theology of Biblical Counseling by Heath Lambert
- How People Change by Timothy S. Lane & Paul David Tripp
- Competent to Counsel Jay Adams
- The Heart of Addiction Mark Shaw
Phase Two:
- Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue
- How to Counsel Biblically John MacArthur
- Speaking Truth in Love David Powlison
- The Gospel for Disordered Lives: An Introduction to Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling Robert D. Jones, Kristin L. Kellen, Rob Green
Phase Three (Recommended):
- Redeeming Memory Matt Rehrer
- Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling by Jay Adams
- Counseling the Hard Cases edited by Stuart Scott and Heath Lambert
- The Christian’s Guide to Psychological Terms Marshall and Mary Asher
Want more info?
Fill out this form to begin your training program enrollment process. Once received, we will contact you regarding next steps. You can also reach out to us by phone with any questions at (985) 205-3022!